Drogheda United are back in the Setanta Sports Cup final despite defeat to Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds last night.

Midfielder David Cawley got the only goal of the game, but the visitors’ 2-0 advantage from the first leg was enough to see the two-time champions back in the decider.

Cawley scored after 30 minutes and Rovers dominated proceedings, but Drogheda battled hard to come through and book a final against Shamrock Rovers.

Rovers welcomed back Joseph Ndo for the first time since their league opener on March 4, while Gavin Peers, Pascal Millien and Aaron Greene all came into the team beaten by St Pat’s on Friday.

Rovers, knowing they would have to score twice to have any chance of reaching the final, pressed forward early, with Lee Lynch breaking into the area from the right and putting in a dangerous ball that Byrne cut out.

Millien then attacked down the same wing, only for Derek Prendergast to make a brilliant sliding tackle to take the ball off Greene’s foot in front of goal.

The pressure eventually told on Drogheda on the stroke of 30 minutes as Cawley latched onto Lynch’s clever pass and worked a one-two with Anthony Elding before firing home from close range.

Drogheda’s response was good, as O’Neill tested Rogers with a shot from the edge of the box.

Goalscorer Cawley picked up an early booking at the start of the second half, and Drogheda went very close to cancelling out his strike just four minutes after the break.

Ryan Brennan flicked the ball into the path of Paul O’Conor, and his stunning effort from 30 yards smacked off the crossbar and down on the line.

Rovers created two great chances in the next ten minutes. The first came when Lynch’s pass released Elding, who blazed over from a good position.

Then Greene could only find the side-netting when he was picked out unmarked by Millien’s cross.

It was not all Rovers though, and Gavin Brennan’s low shot from inside the box on 70 minutes was saved by Rogers.

Ryan Brennan also tried his luck but again Rogers saved before the hosts introduced Iarfhlaith Davoren and young striker Liam Martin to try and force a second.

The Donegal man won a corner straight away, but his team-mates were unable to provide a finishing touch as the resulting delivery twice bounced invitingly in the area. With that went Rovers last chance, although boss Ian Baraclough will be pleased to see his side back to winning ways after successive defeats.